ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE
November 15, 2004
EMU Board Room

ATTENDEES: Ben Farrell, Bob Jones, Christine Thompson, Dorene Steggell, Steve Mital, Paula Staight, JR Gaddis, Jim Blick, Robyn Hathcock, Karyn Kaplan, Anne Forrestel, Nancy Wright, Paula Staight, Taylor Johnson, Cheri Smith

CASL
The committee would like to invite James Hiebert or another representative to the December 6^th meeting for an update on CASL.

Sustainability Coordinator Search
There were eight applicants for the .25 FTE permanent position. The search committee intends to set up some time for the candidates to meet with EIC during the interview process.

Transportation Subcommittee
The alternative transportation brochure needs to be updated. Dorene said that DPS distributed the brochure along with parking permits last year, but not this year. This is such a critical component for getting the information to the campus community and consistency is needed.

The Environmental Studies Student Learning Program (ESSLP) is focusing on alternative transportation as one of their projects this year. In addition, Steve said that while working as temporary Sustainability Coordinator, he and Kay were able to meet with Rand Stamm and Tom Hicks. They agreed to provide $6,000 or $7,000 toward funding a survey that would focus on faculty and staff transportation behaviors and habits. Steve hired a graduate student who is working with others to develop a survey. The Survey Lab will carry out the implementation and the grad student will do analysis. Results will be available in the spring.

The ESSLP will engage about 20 departments in a competition to try to increase the use of alternative transportation. Points will be awarded with a prize given to the winning department. Steve would like to get the committee’s input to help refine the survey and provide faculty and staff insight. Anne volunteered to assist. Upon completion, Cheri suggested that ESSLP share their results with LTD.

Jim Blick, Steve Mital, and Dorene Steggell will serve on the Transportation Subcommittee.

Film/Discussion Series
Cheri Smith, Karyn Kaplan, and Taylor Johnson volunteered to serve on a new subcommittee. They will look into the feasibility of showing environmentally oriented films on campus and ways to reach a broad audience. As the ASUO Outreach Director, Taylor works with all the student groups on campus and offered to help reach various groups. She will also be coordinator for Earth Day and the Energy Campaign.

Anne mentioned that there is an excellent "green" email list and source for upcoming events called greenbiz. She will send the committee information about how to enroll.

Tobacco Issues on Campus
Stop Smoking Assistance - Paula Staight explained that the Health Center is participating in a grant to help students stop smoking. They have also been able to extend this service to assist staff and some have successfully quit smoking.

Second Hand Smoke - In order to receive recognition as a "green" city, Eugene would need to extend the smoking limit at building entrances from 10 feet to 25 feet. The Health Center would support extending the no smoking area to 25 feet, and feels 10 feet is not adequate. Currently, the UO campus is inconsistent with most buildings posting 10 feet, some 20 feet, and one at 50 feet. One of the problems with a 25 or 50-foot perimeter is that it may impact occupants of the building next door. Although enforcement is difficult, Paula pointed out that you change a culture by changing the norm, and it will take time for that change to happen.

Cigarette Butts – According to a statistic provided by Tim King, the cost to clean the campus of cigarette butts is $200 – 300 per week. Facilities Services has installed smoking stations around campus where people can safely dispose of their butts, however, this again seems to require time and education before people know about and use them.

The committee will consider making a recommendation to extend the no smoking area from 10 to 25 feet. Steve suggested that EIC contact the map department and ask them to create a map that would show the perimeters of both 25 feet and 50 feet around entryways. Paula also offered to forward a copy of the ordinance that the city will be considering in January.

The next Environmental Issues Committee meeting will be held on December 6, from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. in the EMU Board Room.